Turmaris Covenant, off the Island of Skye, in the Loch Leglean Tribunal
in 1030 (saga started in 1020).  Defenses are weak, but being on an
island helps.  Faerie allies live in the sea nearby, libraries were sparse
when we got here, but some scribing has helped.  We've got quite a lot
of vis supplies.  An enemy covenant resides in the outer Hebrides.
Covenant is currently in Summer.


    The fog blows out from the shore in the early morning hours, and the
only reason one knows that one isn't alone is the sound of men shouting
to one another as the fishing boats move out into Loch Brochdale (modern
Braccadale).  As the wind picks up and lifts the fog, a dozen or so boats
are revealed in the bay, each with two or three men aboard.  Most come from
the small villages that eke out a living on the shores of the Loch, but a
few will return that night to the island of the wizards...
    The island is a large one, and serves to block the worst of the ocean
currents from eroding the Loch further.  A mile long curve, it is nearly
three quarters of a mile wide at its thickest point.  On the inside of this
curve lies the collection of stone huts and buildings to which the fishermen
will return come nightfall.  A Norse-style merchant vessel is pulled up
on shore here, and a few women and older men move about on shore mending
nets and performing other duties.  Children occasionally dart from behind
buildings, playing complex games with rules that constantly change.
    Two well-worn tracks lead away from the village on the shore.  The
northernmost runs straight to the northwest, traveling about a quarter of a
mile to another small collection of dry-stone hovels.  Here reside the
craftsmen and gardeners of the island.  Several people can be seen among
them on days without rain, chatting as they carry bundles to the fishing
village or to the main covenant, or chastising the children who often play
pranks among the houses and animal pens here.  A path from this place
runs along large gardens and a field of barley and rye toward the larger
stone buildings to the south.
    The second track from the fishing village also leads to this set of
buildings, following a small stream part of the way.  The island slopes
away gradually upward here, and several large structures perch below the
crest of the rise.  It is here that the magi carry on their obscure and
mystical business.  A troop of heavily armed men and women drill in the
open area in front of the largest building, from which the scents of a
large dinner are beginning to drift.  Several other buildings here house
laboratories and residences for the magi whom all on this island serve.
    From this center of activity, yet another path runs, up to the crest
of the hill, and along it even higher to a tall tower of blackened stone
that provides a view out to sea.  On clear days, one can see all of the
villages along the shore from here, and ships at sea can be sighted more
than an hour before their arrival.  This is the tower from which Turris
Maris takes its name.

People of Turmaris: The Magi (note that only Marriana is an NPC)
Marriana, maga of House Verditius, Dictator of the covenant.  Marriana was
present at the founding of Turmaris, and is the sole remaining founder.
When all of the other magi at the covenant died or passed into final twilight,
Marriana decided to bring new members to reside there.  She rewrote the
charter of the covenant to give herself veto power over all actions at the
covenant, and sent out a call to young magi.  She has been pleased with the
group so far, and has returned to her researches, avoiding confrontations
in council that might weaken her power.

Tomas d'Arten, magus of House Bonisagus.  Tomas left Windsong covenant shortly
after the Schism War, when the covenant began to have problems with the dark
powers of Hell.  He has continued his researches into pure Ignem and Aquam,
and has recently discovered the destructive power which such arts can provide.
Some other members of the covenant have taken to calling him the Flambeau
Bonisagus behind his back...  Tomas has been out of apprenticeship for 37
years.

Zilia Ribley, maga Ex Miscelanea.  Zilia, a Magyar-raised maga, has always
been more attuned to the ways of nature than most.  She has been concentrating
her researches on bringing trees to awareness and motility recently.  She has
been out of apprenticeship for about 27 years.

Corson Remi, magus of House Tremere.  Corson does not have his sigil yet, and
his pater resides in the Normandy Tribunal.  His first goal is to get his
sigil, but he strives for power in other ways as well.  A Mentem specialist,
he has recently turned his thoughts to manipulation of ghosts and spirits.
He has been out of apprenticeship for 10 years.

Ian McPherson, magus of House Tytalus.  All of life is images and senses to
Ian.  His mastery of Imagonem magics has made him more and more eery in recent
years.  The other magi respect him, but few really trust him...  He has been
out of apprenticeship for 10 years.

Maegar, magus of House Tremere.  Maegar is a warrior magus, and has gained a
somewhat bloodthirsty reputation as a result.  The other magi don't think that
they respect Maegar, but he has gradually gained a great deal of influence
over the direction that the covenant's future follows.  His driving goal to
force the Norse out of Scotland often makes him seem a caricature.  He has
been out of apprenticeship for 10 years.

Eileen, maga of House Merinita.  Always ready for an adventure if it promises
some fun, Eileen is the quirkiest member of the covenant.  Part underwater
faerie, she is currently planning on getting closer ties with the denizens
of the Minsch [the strait between Skye and the Outer Hebrides].  She has
been out of apprenticeship for 10 years.

Dolph, magus of House Bjornaer.  Dolph [I didn't choose the name] has the
Heartbeasts of a gull and a dolphin.  He has only been at the covenant for
a brief time, but has already managed to get himself nearly killed.  Perhaps
in the future he will learn some restraint and wisdom.  He has been out of
apprenticeship for nearly 4 years.

Companions:
Aaron - itinerant weaver woman, adept in many languages, aging.
Constans - taciturn farmer, good with plants.
Kieran MacAllen - Captain of the merchant ship, leader of the naves grogs.
John-Roy, the Black Hand of Inverness - infamous rogue, sneak, thief and
        a fighter who recognizes the 'better part of valour.'
Ragnar - chieftain of some Norse raiders who live on South Uist.
Wells Laughlan - Captain of the elite grogs, the custodes.